APEC Business Travel Card

[Danger]

I was in LAX last week. Went up to the agent near the diplomatic line and asked if APEC was there. Asked to see it first (on the app), then opened the rope to go through.
The desk agent didn't ask. Though in 10 mins.

SYD international departures is still a pain point. Went through on Wed morning. APEC line for immigration is sign posted along with crew. Airport staff member wouldn't allow me to use the automatic gate though. That's apparently for crew only. Insisted I see an officer. No big deal as he was free and seemed kinda perplexed too. Then I walk towards the very right, crew security line. Another airport official tells me I can't use it and need to get all the way to the other end for the regular line. There's also a an assistant line there. Nope, not for me either. She actually tells me there is no APEC line for anything, despite me pointing out that it's signposted earlier on.

As I start the walk I go past the counters with immigration staff. The lady there obviously overhead the conversation. She checks that I have an APEC card and then tells the other lady I am entitled to the assisted security line. I mention that every time I go through here the airport staff are clueless. I point out to her the two members who got it wrong.

Far out. It's not that hard!

Were both of you travelling on business?

 

[marks]

Were both of you travelling on business?

Yep. But wasn't asked.

 

[Daver6]

Were both of you travelling on business?

Yep. But wasn't asked.

Same here.

 

[kyanar]

BNE international arrivals is laughably bad. Only ever have the regular security lane open, with a lane dragon allowing crew to use the crew/APEC/express arrivals lane, but telling everyone else to go away.

 

[Daver6]

BNE international arrivals is laughably bad. Only ever have the regular security lane open, with a lane dragon allowing crew to use the crew/APEC/express arrivals lane, but telling everyone else to go away.

Do you mean immigration or customs?

 

[kyanar]

Do you mean immigration or customs?

Customs screening

 

[Brettmcg]

Has anyone experienced excruciatingly slow processing of ABTC renewals recently? Mine was submitted on 01FEB24 and has still not even been touched as of today. My current ABTC expires AUG24.

Last time I applied for ABTC it was approved within about two weeks!

 

[Brettmcg]

Has anyone experienced excruciatingly slow processing of ABTC renewals recently? Mine was submitted on 01FEB24 and has still not even been touched as of today. My current ABTC expires AUG24.

Last time I applied for ABTC it was approved within about two weeks!

OK, was finally approved for renewal today!

On that note, given I have both a physical and digital card with an expiry of 29AUG24, I assume I can continue to use this until such time as the new "card" has received all of its approvals?

 

[HarryTheFlyer]

OK, was finally approved for renewal today!

On that note, given I have both a physical and digital card with an expiry of 29AUG24, I assume I can continue to use this until such time as the new "card" has received all of its approvals?

Are they still issuing physical cards?
I assume your digital card will just get a new expiry and the physical card just lapse?

 

[Brettmcg]

Are they still issuing physical cards?
I assume your digital card will just get a new expiry and the physical card just lapse?

No, they don't issue physical cards anymore. The physical card has an expiry date of 29AUG24 printed on it, and the old digital card still appears in my ABTC with the same expiry date. The confirmation email comes with instructions on how to add the new card to my app, but at the moment it has no other pre-approvals than just Australia.

I don't know how sophisticated the APEC system is - every time I present it, they seem to check the back for the country code, so I can only imagine all the system tells them is if it is genuine or not.

I've been waiting for 2.5 months for approval, and of course they do it the day before my next trip to an APEC country :S :S At least being a VOA country, I can do that should the worst case scenario transpire.

 

[HarryTheFlyer]

No, they don't issue physical cards anymore. The physical card has an expiry date of 29AUG24 printed on it, and the old digital card still appears in my ABTC with the same expiry date. The confirmation email comes with instructions on how to add the new card to my app, but at the moment it has no other pre-approvals than just Australia.

I don't know how sophisticated the APEC system is - every time I present it, they seem to check the back for the country code, so I can only imagine all the system tells them is if it is genuine or not.

I've been waiting for 2.5 months for approval, and of course they do it the day before my next trip to an APEC country :S :S At least being a VOA country, I can do that should the worst case scenario transpire.

I used mine last week in LAX and they allowed my companion through without a card… which surprised me.

Will get to test it out in CHN, HKG and TWN in June later this year.

 

[Brettmcg]

I used mine last week in LAX and they allowed my companion through without a card… which surprised me.

Will get to test it out in CHN, KKG and TWN in June later this year.

CHN, HKG and TPE are absolutely fine with the digital card, they may not be as forgiving about the companion though.

IME getting the card recognised for priority processing in the US has not been an issue at major airports. Certainly in NYC the border staff are well versed in acknowledging them.

 

[mandja]

I've now used my card in HKL (coughet), and DPS Bali at arrival and departure.
Both were easy and greatly timesaving.

I'm soon travelling to Wellington and back from Auckland , plus to/from Bali again .
Also going to Singapore but don't bother using there.

 

[Fervidfoyer]

I am getting card update error in my iPhone app. Any workaround to fix this?

I have only used the physical card before,What happens if the error occurs when travelling and the card is not updating?

Do Russian Approvals show in the App?

 

[Daver6]

I am getting card update error in my iPhone app. Any workaround to fix this?

I have only used the physical card before,What happens if the error occurs when travelling and the card is not updating?

Do Russian Approvals show in the App?

Just checked on Android. Same issue. I guess a transient server side error. Not really an issue unless you need to update your card as not all countries are listed.

 

[seanQLD]

Same issues today.

QUESTION: Mine expires June 2025. When can I submit a renewal request so I am not without it. ABTC has been absolutely great and I cannot imagine traveling without it.

 

[Daver6]

Same issues today.

QUESTION: Mine expires June 2025. When can I submit a renewal request so I am not without it. ABTC has been absolutely great and I cannot imagine traveling without it.

I think I received a notification a good few months ahead that it was going to expire, but don't quite recall. Suspect you can extend very early. Downside is the extension starts on the approval date, not 5 years post the old one expiring. So you land up wasting some money.

 

[seanQLD]

okay - so maybe send in renewal at 6-7 months before expiry.. Right ? If it is really going to take a long time to renew ?? I always had hoped that renewal would be much faster than the initial application

 

[Daver6]

okay - so maybe send in renewal at 6-7 months before expiry.. Right ? If it is really going to take a long time to renew ?? I always had hoped that renewal would be much faster than the initial application

I think I'd like it to 3 months or so.

 

[Daver6]

Just received this push notification on my phone...